Guide

www.SquishyCircuits.com Page 5
BackgroundKnowledge
Vocabulary
Buzzers - Buzzers can be added to your Squishy Circuits by
matching the red lead from the buzzer to the red lead of the
battery pack and the black lead from the buzzer to the black lead
of the battery pack. If desired, place a piece of tap over the top of
the buzzer to reduce the volume. There are two types –
mechanical and piezo. Mechanical buzzers have a plastic reed that
vibrates to produce a buzz. Piezoelectric buzzers vibrate a crystal
and produce a higher-pitched buzz.
Circuit - Electricity flows in a loop called a circuit. A circuit starts and stops at the battery pack and flows
through wires, conductive dough, and electrical components such as LEDs and motors. An open circuit is
an incomplete circuit. A closed circuit is a completed one.
Conductor - Conductors are materials that allow electricity to flow through them. Most metals are good
conductors. Squishy Circuits uses the colored conductive doughs are used. Users can make their own,
purchase through our online store, or use most play doughs.
Insulator - Insulators are materials that do not allow electricity to flow through them. Air, plastic,
rubber, and glass are good examples of insulators. In Squishy Circuits, the white insulating dough is
used. Users can make their own, purchase through our online store, or use most modeling clays.
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) – LEDs produce light from electrical
power. To work, the LED has to be oriented properly (this is called
polarity). Usually, the two leads are different lengths. The longer lead
goes to the positive (red) side of the battery pack. The short lead goes
to the negative (black) side of the battery pack.
Motors - Motors can be used to bring motion to your Squishy Circuit creations. The motor has two
leads, like the LED, but orientation, or polarity, is not necessary. However, the polarity does change the
direction the motor spins.